The Preesall Underground Gas Storage Facility Order 2015

Decommissioning, restoration and aftercare scheme after permanent cessation of operations

33.—(1) Six months prior to the permanent cessation of operation of the authorised development, a scheme of decommissioning, restoration and aftercare of the authorised development shall be submitted for approval in writing by the relevant planning authority.

(2) The scheme shall include proposals for—

(a) future uses of the operational caverns following permanent cessation of such operational caverns or (if none) the means of decommissioning such operational caverns;

(b) future uses of the pipelines comprised in the authorised development or (if none) the means of decommissioning of such pipelines;

(c) what above-ground structures, buildings and other parts of the authorised development are to be demolished or retained and the means of any demolition;

(d) the phasing of any decommissioning, demolition or removal proposed in paragraphs (a) to (c);

(e) the means of removal of decommissioning materials and demolition waste arising from the activities listed in paragraphs (a) to (c);

(f) works for the restoration of land within the Order limits on which the authorised development is located and the phasing of such restoration works;

(g) aftercare of the authorised development, having regard to any future uses of elements of the authorised development, including the long-term monitoring and management of the decommissioned caverns;

(h) a risk management plan setting out measures to be taken in appropriate circumstances to minimise risk in respect of the authorised development following permanent cessation of operation of the authorised development; and

(i) a timetable for implementation of the scheme.

(3) The scheme shall be implemented as approved following the permanent cessation of the operation of the authorised development.